A recycling Christmas

BASKET

General note: Enlarge patterns photostatically to make grid of 2.5 cm (1-in) squares; then cut out and label each.
(PDF format, requires free Adobe Acrobat Reader).

Finished basket is 8 cm (3-1/8 in) high and 20 cm (7-7/8 in) diameter at rim.

You need:
• 14 used Christmas-card fronts
• 2 stiff used Christmas-card backs
• White craft glue
• Scissors or X-acto knife and cutting mat
• Clothespins (optional)
• 1/8-in hole punch, transparent tape and pencil
• Tapestry needle and crochet yarn (we used metallized 4-ply polyester)

To make:
1. Using pencil, trace basket side and base patterns onto card backs; cut out. If desired, reinforce edges with tape.

2. Lay base pattern on card front; with pencil, trace it, then cut out. Trace and cut a total of 2 bases in same manner.

3. Lay side pattern on card front; with pencil, trace it, then cut out. Trace and cut a total of 12 sides in same manner.

4. With small dabs, glue 2 bases together so right sides are out and edges are even. Divide sides into pairs and in same manner, glue each pair together to make a total of 6 sides.

5. Approx 3 to 6 mm (1/8 to 1/4 in) from edge of base and each side, punch holes at approx 6 mm intervals. Thread needle with approx 76 cm (30-in) length of yarn; loop through hole at 1 corner of base and knot. Through holes, blanket-stitch around entire edge; knot yarn.

6. Beginning and ending at 1 corner of bottom edge, blanket-stitch entire edge of each side in same manner.

7. Thread needle again, loop through hole at 1 corner of base and knot. Picking up stitch from 1 edge, then the other, lace bottom edges of sides, one at a time, to base. Lace up each side join in same manner to make basket. Weave yarn ends into lacing; trim.